So much to learn… so little time
July 26, 2013 – Ukarumpa, Papua New Guinea – Catherine Rivard with Tim Scott
The class stared in rapt attention as Norbert Wamsi, their teacher, motioned to the
whiteboard. “Tell me again the different mathematical functions we learned this
morning.” The students quickly called out the answers. “Good! Now, let’s review
inserting a picture into a document.” Norbert bent over his computer and gestured
emphatically as he talked through the steps. Watching the projected computer
screen, some students scribbled notes while others followed along on their own
computers, mimicking each click until they too had successfully inserted a photo.
Naomi grinned at her accomplishment—she had learned a lot in this course!
Norbert was teaching the first Basic
Computer Skills course held at the
Ukarumpa Training Centre. The one-week
course was the first response to the
increasing request for computer training for Papua New Guineans Bible
translators—and the results were overwhelming.
“The computer course is a very important thing,” explained Balai, a
Kunimaipa speaker from Morobe. “The computer is an important tool to
use in the work of Bible translation and literacy. I’m very happy I was able to
receive some training. It’s been a need of mine.”
Similarly, Thomas, a Nali speaker and translator from Manus, described how
he first learned to use a typewriter, but hadn’t had much experience with a
computer. “I’m happy this course happened, because it has given me some
good ideas for working with a computer. It’s a good tool for my translation
work, and now I can teach my wife how to type too.”
The practical, hands-on teaching style of the course worked well for the participants—but all of them wanted more.
Temah, an Angataaha speaker from Morobe, commented, “There’s so much to learn and not enough time! We need
more courses like this.”
Computers and technology are vital
to the process of Bible translation—
and new training courses like this one
equip people with tools to help make
God’s Word accessible to every
language in Papua New Guinea.

At times, fictitious names are substituted for the real names. For more information on this release, contact,The PNG Experience, PO BOX 413, EHP 444, Papua
New Guinea Phone: 011 + 675 + 537-4431 or Email: ThePNGexperience@gmail.com
“Yumi Stori” is the PNG “Tok Pisin” term for “Let’s talk” or “Let’s have a conversation”